Julius Malema Demands Land Return During EFF Land Reclamation Day Address

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema delivered a fiery speech during the party's Land Reclamation Day event held at Sophiatown Extreme Park in Johannesburg. Addressing a large crowd of supporters, Malema reiterated the EFF’s unwavering stance on land expropriation without compensation, calling it a vital step toward restoring justice for South Africa’s indigenous people.

In his address, Malema said the land question dates back to 1652, the year Jan van Riebeeck arrived in South Africa as part of the Dutch East India Company. He labeled Van Riebeeck a "gangster" and "convicted criminal," arguing that his arrival marked the beginning of land dispossession and colonial oppression against native communities.

“We are here to claim the land that was stolen from our ancestors,” Malema declared. “We are here to take the land back, without fear of compensation.”

Malema explained that the Dutch East India Company had initially established a refreshment station at the Cape to resupply ships — but this soon resulted in the violent displacement of indigenous groups, including the Khoisan, who resisted colonial invasion.

The EFF’s land reclamation campaign is rooted in its broader mission for radical economic transformation, aiming to correct historical injustices and empower the country’s marginalized majority. Land, according to Malema, is more than an economic asset — it represents identity, dignity, and sovereignty.

As the 2026 national elections draw closer, the EFF is expected to intensify its focus on land reform, positioning itself as the only party capable of delivering true change.

“The fight for land is the fight for freedom,” Malema concluded. “We will not rest until the land returns to its rightful owners.”